About Me: Person -Centred Dementia Profile
About Me – Person-Centred Dementia Profile
This two-page About Me profile is designed to help others see and understand the person behind the dementia.
Wherever possible, it should be completed with the person, supported by a family member, friend or care partner who knows them well. It captures key information about their life story, important relationships, personality, interests, preferences, communication and individual support needs.
The profile has deliberately been kept to two A4 pages so that it is easy to complete, print and laminate, and can remain with the person as their circumstances and care needs change.
It can help family, friends, care staff and services to:
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get to know the person rather than simply their diagnosis
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start meaningful conversations and support reminiscence
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identify interests and preferences that can inform Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and other meaningful activities
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understand how the person prefers to communicate
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recognise things that may cause worry or distress and what can provide comfort and reassurance
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support choice, independence and person-centred care
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provide greater continuity when the person is supported by different people, settings or services
The profile should be regarded as a living document. Revisit it together and update it as new information emerges or the person's preferences, circumstances or support needs change.
The aim is simple: to help everyone supporting the person know not just what care they need, but who they are.
Updated 24 August 2026
More detailed assessment - GETTING TO KNOW ME
Of course, some clients, carers and families may want to complete a more detailed person centred assessment, in the form of a Memory Diary or About Me Scrapbook, with lots of photos and mementos included. This should be encouraged, but perhaps suggest a master copy is kept safely at home.
Possible content of such a detailed assessment is as follows:
ABOUT ME
My parents
My siblings
My childhood
My spouse/partner
My family including beloved pets
Good friends
Favourite places
Holidays enjoyed
Occupations
Lifetime achievements
Hobbies and interests now
Unpleasant life events (so we know to avoid talking about them and how best to respond)
THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ME
Where is home now
Who are you closest to now
Preferred foods
Preferred drinks
Luxury items - sweets, perfume/aftershave etc
How I like to dress/my style
How I like to exercise/my activity level
Favourite music and artists
Favourite films or TV shows
HOW BEST TO SUPPORT ME
Usual daytime routine (including time I like to get up and go to bed)
Things which help calm and reassure me
Things which can upset or anger me
Support I need with memory and orientation
Support I need with communication (including any communication aids)
Support I need with psychological or mental health issues
Support I need with behavioural issues
Support I need with self care (including any assistance required)
Support I need with eating and drinking (including any feeding aids)
Support I need with mobility (including any mobility aids)
Support I need with continence (including any continence aids)
Support I need with sleep or during the night-time
Support I need with medical illness or disability issues
Signs that I may be in pain and how I like others to respond
Medication I take and support I need with taking it
Allergies
Other support I need
PHOTO ALBUM
Collection of favourite photos with captions (statement of meanings) and approx dates
Video clips
PLAYLIST
Collection of favourite music tracks that may help calm and reassure me
Collection of favourite music tracks that may energise and uplift me
Note here if you like to use an iPod or similar
(Link to personalised Spotify and iTunes playlists)
SCRAPBOOK
Letters, cards and other mementos which have value or meaning to me
A Word copy of the 'Getting To Know Me: Personal Information Communication Form' is provided below, with the aim of it being amended and printed off for personal use.
If you need it another format, please drop me a line.
